Taxi Driver Online

We all know the level violence that can erupt when two or more parties fight over a taxi and sadly here is one such incident which got out of hand.
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Halifax Courier

September 18, 2007

Three guilty of Queensbury man's murder

THREE people have been found guilty of the brutal murder of a Queensbury man.

Andrew Ayres, 50, died after suffering serious head injuries during a brawl outside the King's Head, Halifax Road, Buttershaw, Bradford, on January 28.

The jury heard previously a dispute erupted between two groups over a taxi.

Michael Hall, 24, his girlfriend Laura Mitchell, 22, both of Bottomley Street, Buttershaw, and Henry Ballantyne, 20, of Springwood Avenue, Shipley, were convicted of his murder and violent disorder following a seven week trial at Bradford Crown Court.

A fourth defendant, Jason Fawthrop, 25, of Buttershaw Lane, Buttershaw, was acquitted of both charges and a fifth defendant, Carl Holmes, 21, of Bonwick Mall, Buttershaw, pleaded guilty to murder last month.

Mitchell broke down in tears as the verdicts were read out and relatives sobbed in the public gallery.

The Recorder of Bradford, Judge Stephen Gullick, adjourned sentencing for a month and remanded Hall, Mitchell and Vallantyne in custody.

The convicted murderers left their victim with a face that was unrecognisable. A mace and a knuckleduster were used to batter Andrew Ayers to death as a row over a taxi turned to tragedy.

Mr Ayers aged 50 was set on in a brawl outside the King's Head in Buttershaw where he had been celebrating a pal's birthday. He was knocked to the ground and set on with a level of violence that police described as horrific.

The evil weapons were recovered later.

Three of the thugs behind the attack were found guilty of murder at Bradford Crown Court. A fourth had earlier pleaded guilty. All will be sentenced later.

Detective Superintendent Paul Kennedy, of West Yorkshire Police Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, who had been leading the investigation, said: "An absolutely horrific and completely unwarranted level of violence was used against Andrew Ayres, and ultimately caused his death.

"It was a brutal and sustained attack, in which weapons were used, and it continued while he was on the ground and in no position to defend himself. He was a completely innocent victim."
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